Meet the Head
What is your personal approach to education?
Education should be relevant, interesting, stimulating, engaging but above all fun! Children need lots of opportunities for investigation and challenge. Learning can take place anywhere, in and out of the classroom and we must seize each opportunity. Every child should leave St Ives at the end of the day feeling that today really was the best day ever.
How do you judge your success?
St Ives is truly independent and somewhere that opens doors to a variety of senior schools. We strive to offer everyone the opportunity to do their best to be their best. Seeing the girls happy to try something new, take risks and give it their all with confidence means we have done our job well. We know that they are prepared for that next important step, whatever and wherever that might be.
What are your pupil demographics?
Our girls predominantly come from the local area and from a variety of backgrounds. However since the completion of the Hindhead tunnel and the consequent improved accessibility of Haslemere, we are increasingly seeing more and more girls come from towns slightly further afield such as Farnham, Petersfield and Godalming. School transport is also available to girls who require it.
When can girls join St Ives School?
There is no set rule as to when girls can join St Ives. We take girls and boys in our nursery from 2 years upwards and girls only from Reception onwards. Many of our girls started in our Nursery and have journeyed all the way through, others join us throughout the different year groups depending on their own personal circumstances. Everyone is made to feel welcome at whatever stage they join us.
How involved are parents in what goes on at the school?
Very! I operate an “open door” policy and encourage parents to take an active role in all aspects of the school. We have a very strong Parents’ Association and have “Link Parents” who help bridge the gap between home and school. It is important to listen and I am always seeking ways to take the school forward. I value the ideas and opinion of all those connected with St Ives.
How important is sport at St Ives?
There is no doubt that sport plays an important part of life at St Ives and we have quite a formidable reputation when it comes to competing! As well as two hours timetabled per week, girls also take part in extra-curricular sports clubs both internally and externally in sports such as netball, hockey, cross country, tennis, horse riding and swimming. We regularly compete with other local independent schools and in many IAPS tournaments. All our girls get the opportunity to play in matches and we offer A, B and C teams where numbers allow.
Where do St Ives girls go to after they have left?
St Ives is a truly independent school and prides itself on the range of senior schools it feeds locally and beyond. Typically these include local popular choices such as Guildford High School, Cranleigh School, Priors' Field, St Catherine’s, The Royal, Tormead and Dunhurst. Others may go slightly further afield to St Mary's, Ascot and St Swithun’s, Winchester.
Senior school scholarships are often awarded to girls at St Ives and this year was no exception with nine academic and non-academic awards offered for entry in September 2012. We are always delighted by the positive feedback we receive about all our girls and how well they are prepared for life at senior school.
What comment about the school are you most proud of?
Recent parent comment “Since joining St Ives my daughter now skips home from school”.